DAMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Grass plants severed at soil surface by relatively large, 1.2 to 1.8 inch long, brownish black larvae; adult night-flying moths attracted to light; foliar chewing insect; larvae inhabit turf thatch as a resting place in a curled position; turf damage occurs in warm summer period; feed on leaf blades; night feeding caterpillars; feed around a small burrow or tunnel in the turf and carry leaf blades into the tunnel; often found after greens are aerated; often appear in early spring when temperatures are above freezing; damage appears as closely clipped grass in patterns radiating away from tunnel or hiding place; hide in tunnels during day and feed close by at night; can crawl 60 feet or more in a night; green excrement frass may be present.
HOST GRASSES:
Most turfgrasses
LIFE CYCLE:
Moths lay eggs on grass leaves at night; larvae feed at night on leaves and stems; life cycle of 40 to 80 days, 3 to 6 overlapping generations; eggs hatch in about a week; at maturity , they dig cells in the soil where they propagate and overwinter, emerging as moths the next spring.
FACTORS THAT MAY PROMOTE INSECT DAMAGE:
Aerifying holes; not catching clippings on infested sites; good sign-birds or other animals searching for the larvae.
CULTURAL CONTROL:
Catch clippings on infested sites so as not to spread eggs; monitor frequently after aerification; some cultivars have endophytes that may be resistant.
CHEMICAL CONTROL:
Apply pesticides in late evening or afternoon, repeat if damage reoccurs.
| Specific Insecticide Recommendations | ||||
|
Insecticide (chemical name) |
Efficacy |
Application Interval |
Time of Year To Apply |
Example of Products (trade names |
| Acephate | Good to Excellent | As needed | Spring to Fall | Orthene, Address T/O |
| Carbaryl | Good to Excellent | As needed | Spring to Fall | Sevin |
| Cyfluthrin | Good to Excellent | As needed | Spring to Fall | Tempo |
| Trichlorfon | Good | As needed | Spring to Fall | Dylox, Pronto |
REFERENCES:
Beard, J. B. 2002. Turfgrass Management for Golf Courses. Second Edition. Ann Harbor Press. Chelsea, Michigan..
Decker, H. F., Decker, J. M. 1988. Lawn Care-A Handbook for Professionals. Prentice Hall. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Liskey, E., “Turfgrass Insecticides”, Grounds Maintenance, Volume 37, Number 2, February 2002, pp. 8-10.
Turgeon, A. J. 2002. Turfgrass Management. Sixth Edition. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Taylor, G. R. - Editor. 2000. Turfgrass Pesticide Recommendations 1999-2000. Extension Publication SCS-1991-01. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.
Duble, R. L. 2001. Turfgrasses-Their Management and Use in the Southern Zone. Second Edition. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.
Emmons, R. D. 2000. Turfgrass Science and Management. Third Edition. Delmar Thomson Learning. Albany, New York.